Bart Millard Opens Up About God's Grace In All Situations

Dove Award–winning MercyMe front man, Bart Millard shares how God helped him survive childhood abuse and turn his darkest moments into a song of grace. Here, he gives details about God's hand in the miraculous transformation of his father:

Standing in the kitchen of his Greenville, Texas, home, 15-year-old Bart Millard glared at his father. They were arguing because Bart had begun dating a girl whom Arthur Millard Jr. didn’t approve of. As anger and resentment boiled over between the father and son, Arthur flew into a fit of rage, picked up a dinner plate and smashed it over Bart’s head. Dazed, bleeding and shocked, Bart looked at the broken pieces of plate scattered across the floor…and something snapped. Bart stormed out, vowing never to return.

A few months after Arthur broke the plate over Bart’s head, Arthur was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer…and Bart witnessed a miracle. Bart watched in awe as Arthur embraced Jesus and became a kind, compassionate man. “I was so angry, hurt and scared of my dad that I thought there was no chance he’d change, but I watched the Gospel change him, and if Christ can change that man, He can change anybody,” Bart says. “He transformed into my best friend and the godliest man I ever knew. Don’t assume your story is over, don’t give up on people—as long as we’re breathing, there’s still a chance!”

Find out more about Bart's life-changing journey in our May issue, available now at Walmart, Barnes and Noble, in select grocery stores, and for immediate download on Kindle and Nook.